***** Russian Grand Prix 2014 ***** (contains spoilers)

[Derek Smith]

BigBen said:

That put JB in a strong position but his pace once he was in that position was very strong. After all the talking down of their Suzuka chances it appears the latest McLaren updates might be going in the right direction.

At least they didn't leave it too late.

[BigBen]

Derek Smith said:

BigBen said:

That put JB in a strong position but his pace once he was in that position was very strong. After all the talking down of their Suzuka chances it appears the latest McLaren updates might be going in the right direction.

At least they didn't leave it too late.

I was just thinking the same, although regulations are relatively static for next season at least.

[aberdeeneuan]

BigBen said:

Derek Smith said:

BigBen said:

That put JB in a strong position but his pace once he was in that position was very strong. After all the talking down of their Suzuka chances it appears the latest McLaren updates might be going in the right direction.

At least they didn't leave it too late.

I was just thinking the same, although regulations are relatively static for next season at least.

Which probably means a clean slate design for McLaren and we start this all over again...

It's good for the championship to see guys like McLaren, Ferrari, Williams and the like at least being able to push the Mercedes, just wish it had happened a bit more this season. Always hard with that amount of change though.

[Crafty_]

BigBen said:

That put JB in a strong position but his pace once he was in that position was very strong. After all the talking down of their Suzuka chances it appears the latest McLaren updates might be going in the right direction.

hmm but the bulls were soon past him when it dried up...

Not saying the upgrades are useless, but they aren't the whole story.

[VolvoT5]

Sigh, Raikkonen looks woefully off the pace again.

[Mermaid]

VolvoT5 said:

Sigh, Raikkonen looks woefully off the pace again.

Perhaps he wants to be fired and collect a nice cheque ( not checked if he has a contract for next year)

[Crafty_]

Kimi has got another year on his contract. I read some comments he made a couple of days ago, seems he hates the front end. Now that Allison is there (and he knows what Kimi likes) I wonder if next years car might be a bit more to his liking.

[VolvoT5]

Crafty_ said:

Kimi has got another year on his contract. I read some comments he made a couple of days ago, seems he hates the front end. Now that Allison is there (and he knows what Kimi likes) I wonder if next years car might be a bit more to his liking.

bloody hope so. Sad way to end a great career if this is his last year.... his current performances are so woeful that people have already forgotten just how good he has been in the past years.

[williamp]

Is now the right time to drag up the stuff about hem having significant help to his only WDC, including winning in Australia with an illegal car?? No??

[woof]

God awful circuit - looks so easy for drivers. No challenge, No spectators
And let's face it - what F1 fan is going to travel there to watch the race. Poor tourist facilities and difficult visa control.

[anonymous-user]

woof said:

God awful circuit - looks so easy for drivers. No challenge, No spectators
And let's face it - what F1 fan is going to travel there to watch the race. Poor tourist facilities and difficult visa control.

Tell that to the GP2 boys, qualifying was like watching wrc, they were sliding everywhere.

[RichB]

VolvoT5 said:

Crafty_ said:

Kimi has got another year on his contract. I read some comments he made a couple of days ago, seems he hates the front end. Now that Allison is there (and he knows what Kimi likes) I wonder if next years car might be a bit more to his liking.

bloody hope so. Sad way to end a great career if this is his last year.... his current performances are so woeful that people have already forgotten just how good he has been in the past years.

Interesting that many people on P'Heads highly rate Kimi Raikkonen despite his numerous mediocre performances and yet give little credit to Vettle with 4 championships to his name and when he's off the pace is nowhere near as far back in the mid-field as Raikkonen.

[Crafty_]

To be fair, the RB is better than the Ferrari and both cars better than the performances that Vettel and Kimi have got from them.

[RichB]

Crafty_ said:

To be fair, the RB is better than the Ferrari and both cars better than the performances that Vettel and Kimi have got from them.

That's true but over the years Raikkonen has so often been circulating round mid-field until the final few laps when he seems to wake up.

[Crafty_]

Not wishing to draw comparisons, but there are drivers who can just do it and those that have to work at it.

Dear old Nige always had to work at it didn't he, gritted teeth and a good dose of stubbornness to brake later than the other guy.

Prost had to analyse everything and paid attention to every little detail to ensure he was in the best place possible.

Senna, Michael, Clark, Peterson? could just get in and make it happen.

None of these drivers (possible exception of Michael) had the amount of data and analysis available to them that current day drivers have, so I think Lewis is a bit of all three. Nico? a bit more like Prost I think but probably copes with a sub optimal car better (like for like).

Anyway, I found Lewis's column at the beeb. I guess someone edits the entries, but it certainly doesn't sound like the whining kid that some portray him as http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/29559860

[Bradgate]

Button spun in today's practice session. Very odd. I literally cannot remember the last time Jenson spun off the track. He must do it less than any other driver.

[Park'O]

Bradgate said:

Button spun in today's practice session. Very odd. I literally cannot remember the last time Jenson spun off the track. He must do it less than any other driver.

He's pushing hard!

[wanacoop]

Am very bored, and watching an old inbetweeners programme. Has anyone else thought that Will looks a little bit like Hamilton?

[anonymous-user]

No

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Crafty_ said:

Anyway, I found Lewis's column at the beeb. I guess someone edits the entries, but it certainly doesn't sound like the whining kid that some portray him as http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/29559860

Thanks for that